Japan PEN Club Statement “Oppose Myanmar’s military coup and call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and others”

Japan PEN Club Statement
“Oppose Myanmar’s military coup and call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and others”

This morning, it was reported that the Myanmar military had declared a state of emergency after detaining Ms.Aung San Suu Kyi, national advisor. This is a clear military coup.
Myanmar is in the middle of the democratization process, including constitutional reform and is struggling with Rohingya human rights issues. We, the Japan P.E.N. Club, had invited Aung San Suu Kyi as a guest member during her hard time and has supported Myanmar P.E.N’s activities through the years.
Democratization should proceed peacefully with freedom of speech and free elections. We are firmly opposed to this hard-line military coup and strongly urge the Myanmar military to release Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and other detainees, and urge the Japanese government and the international community to take effective measures as soon as possible.

February 1st, 2021
Japan P.E.N. Club
President
Shinobu Yoshioka